Two part, separable downstem for smoking apparatuses

ABSTRACT

A two-piece bowl for smoking apparatuses and a smoking system that incorporates a smoking apparatus and the two-piece bowl. The two-piece bowl includes a first bowl piece having a first bowl portion, a first stem part extending from the first bowl portion and a first channel disposed in the first stem part. The two-piece bowl also including a second bowl piece releasably securable to the first bowl piece to create the two-piece bowl. The second bowl piece having a second bowl portion to cooperate with the first bowl portion to create a bowl of the two-piece bowl that holds a smokable material, a second stem part extending from the second bowl portion that cooperates with the first stem part to create a stem portion of the two-piece bowl that can engage with the smoking apparatus, and a second channel disposed in the second stem part that cooperates with the first channel to create an airflow hole in the stem portion of the two-piece bowl to permit smoke to flow from the bowl of the two-piece bowl to the smoking apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application having U.S. Ser. No. 17/326,004, filed May 20, 2021, which is a conversion of U.S. Provisional Application having U.S. Ser. No. 63/028,400, filed May 21, 2020, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a two-piece downstem and bowl used with smoking apparatuses that is separable and easily cleaned.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bowl and downstem pieces for smoking apparatuses often get extremely dirty from the resin of the smoked material. Since the bowl and downstem pieces are so small, the insides become impossible to clean. When bowl and downstem pieces become dirty, the quality of smoke and the user's experience decreases. The small particles and resin remain despite being cleaned, giving the material a less than fresh taste when smoked by an individual. To date, the majority of bowl and downstem pieces are maintained with cleaning solutions or brushes that don't allow for full cleanings. When a user attempts to clean a traditional bowl or downstem piece, they rarely get the bowl and/or downstem piece fully clean. Cleaning by traditional methods is ineffective and challenging due to the bowl or downstem piece's small size and fragility. Bowl and downstem pieces are broken very often in this process. For example, dropping the bowl or downstem piece when using traditional cleaning methods can result in breakage which can be frustrating and costly. Since the bowl and downstem pieces cannot be thoroughly cleaned, the bowl and/or downstem pieces often get too dirty to clean. Thus, the current traditional bowl and downstem pieces presents multiple problems for the user.

Accordingly, there exists a need for bowl and downstem pieces that are easily cleaned and cannot be easily broken while cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a two-piece bowl for smoking apparatuses and a smoking system that incorporates a smoking apparatus and the two-piece bowl. The two-piece bowl includes a first bowl piece having a first bowl portion, a first stem part extending from the first bowl portion and a first channel disposed in the first stem part. The two-piece bowl also including a second bowl piece releasably securable to the first bowl piece to create the two-piece bowl. The second bowl piece having a second bowl portion to cooperate with the first bowl portion to create a bowl of the two-piece bowl that holds a smokable material, a second stem part extending from the second bowl portion that cooperates with the first stem part to create a stem portion of the two-piece bowl that can engage with the smoking apparatus, and a second channel disposed in the second stem part that cooperates with the first channel to create an airflow hole in the stem portion of the two-piece bowl to permit smoke to flow from the bowl of the two-piece bowl to the smoking apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of a two-piece bowl shown with a smoking apparatus in a first position constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of the two-piece bowl shown with the smoking apparatus in a second position constructed in accordance with the present disclosure closure.

FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of a two-piece bowl and a two-piece downstem shown with a smoking apparatus in a first position constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D is a side elevation view of the two-piece bowl and the two-piece downstem shown with the smoking apparatus in a second position constructed in accordance with the present disclosure closure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two-piece bowl separated into a first bowl piece and a second bowl piece constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3C are various views of a bowl piece constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bowl piece constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the two-piece downstem separated into a first downstem piece and a second downstem piece constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6C are various views of a downstem piece constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a downstem piece constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, shown therein is a two-piece bowl 10 for use with smoking apparatuses 12 in a smoking system 13. The two-piece bowl is comprised of a first bowl piece 14 and a second bowl piece 16 that are combinable to create the two-piece bowl 10 and separable from each other for cleaning. When the first and second bowl pieces 14 and 16 are combined the two-piece bowl 10 includes a bowl 18 for holding the smokable material, a stem portion 20 extending from the bowl 18 to engage with the smoking apparatus 12, and an airflow hole 22 that extends from the bowl 18 and through the two-piece bowl 10 to permit smoke to flow from the smokable material in the bowl 18 to flow into and through the smoking apparatus 12.

The first bowl piece 14 includes a first bowl portion 24 to make up a part of the bowl 18, a first stem part 26 that extends from the first bowl portion 24 to make up part of the stem portion 20 and a first channel 28 disposed in the first stem part 26 that runs the length of the first bowl piece 14. Similarly, the second bowl piece 16 includes a second bowl portion 30 to cooperate with the first bowl portion 24 to create the bowl 18, a second stem part 32 that extends from the second bowl portion 30 to cooperate with the first stem part 26 to create the stem portion 20, and a second channel 34 disposed in the second stem part 32 that runs the length of the second bowl piece 16. The second channel 34 and the first channel 28 cooperate to form the airflow hole 22.

The first and second bowl pieces 14 and 16 can be held together to create the two-piece bowl 10 in any manner known in the art. In one embodiment, the first bowl piece 14 can have depressions 36 disposed therein and the second bowl piece 16 can have protrusions 38 disposed thereon that are in alignment with the depressions 36 in the first bowl piece. The depressions 36 and the protrusions 38 can be snap fit together. In this embodiment, a portion of the protrusions 38 can be wider than the mouths of the depressions 36 where some force is required to push the protrusions 38 into the depressions 36. In another embodiment, the first and second bowl pieces 14 and 16 can be secured together by frictional engagement of the protrusions 38 and the depressions 36. In yet another embodiment, the protrusions are rod elements 39 that are secured in depressions of the first or second bowl piece 14 or 16 and extend beyond the depression to engage with the corresponding depressions on the first or second bowl piece 14 or 16.

In yet another embodiment, the second bowl piece 16 has a plurality of depressions 40 disposed therein that are in alignment with the depressions 36 in the first bowl piece 14. In this embodiment, the depressions 36 and 40 can have magnets 42 disposed therein. The magnets 42 in the first bowl piece 14 and the second bowl piece 16 are attracted (have opposite polarities) to each other to hold the first and second bowl pieces 14 and 16 together to create the two-piece bowl 10. The depressions 36, 40 and the protrusions 38 can be positioned on the bowl pieces 14 and 16 in the bowl portions 24, 30 or the stem parts 26, 32. Depending on the configuration of the two-piece bowl 10, there can be multiple depressions 36, 40 and protrusions 38 on each part of the bowl pieces 14 and 16. Each bowl piece 14 and 16 can have a mix of depressions 36 or 40 and protrusions 38 that engage with a corresponding depression or protrusion on the other bowl piece 14 or 16.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnets 42 disposed in the depressions 36 disposed in the first bowl piece 14 would extend beyond the depth of the depressions 36. The corresponding magnet 42 disposed in the corresponding depression 40 would have a thickness less than the depth of the depression 40, which creates a recessed area above the magnet 42 in the depression 40. The magnet 42 that extends out of the depression 36 in the first bowl piece 14 would extend into the recessed area above the magnet 42 in the depression 40 in the second bowl piece 16. This would provide additional lateral stability to the two pieces 14 and 16 of the two-piece bowl 10 and aides in the alignment of the two pieces 14 and 16 of the two-piece bowl 10.

Whether the first bowl piece 14 and the second bowl piece 16 of the two-piece bowl 10 are held together with magnets 42 or the protrusions 38 and depressions 36 or 40, the first bowl piece 14 and the second bowl piece 16 of the two-piece bowl 10 are self-aligning. It should be understood and appreciated that the protrusions 38 can be a part of a rod-like member that is secured down in one of the depressions 36 or 40.

The protrusions 38 may be pins, pegs or dowels or other male kind of protrusion while the depressions 36 or 40 may be sockets, holes, chambers or other receptacle such that they are female The protrusions 38 and depressions 36 or 40 may have cross sections of any shape such as square, circular, triangular, hexagonal, and the like. The drawings depict exemplar locations and sizes of depressions 36 or 40 that can include magnets 42. The magnets 42 may be pressed in and pressure fit and/or held in with glue. The magnets 42, in one embodiment, are 3/16-inch neodymium magnets. Other sizes of magnets may be used depending on the particular embodiment and depending on the size of the particular two-piece bowl 10. In some embodiments, the neodymium magnets may be coated with nickel and/or epoxy or other coating.

The two-piece bowl 10 can be of a material that allows for it to endure droppage and damage. In some embodiments, the two-piece bowl 10 is made from aluminum. Other sufficiently strong and durable materials may also be used. The number of magnets 42 used in each piece 14 or 16 of the two-piece bowl 10 must be sufficient so that the bowl pieces 14 and 16 remain connected to each other during regular, typical use of the two-piece bowl 10. More or fewer magnets 42 than those shown and described may be used. Again, the number of magnets 42 should provide enough force to connect the bowl pieces 14 and 16 so that the two-piece bowl 10 does not fall apart when used.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the first bowl piece 14 and the second bowl piece 16 can include a face portion 44 and 46, respectively. A first gasket 48 can be secured to the face portion 44 or 46 of the first or second bowl piece 14 or 16 to provide an airtight seal between the first and second bowl pieces 14 and 16. The gasket 48 can have any shape such that it prevents the smoke passing through the airflow hole 22 from escaping. In yet another embodiment, the face portions 44 and 46 can have a tongue and groove feature that prevents the smoke from escaping the airflow hole 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 1C-1D and 5-7, shown therein is a two-piece downstem 110 for use with a smoking apparatus 112 in a smoking system 113. The two-piece downstem 110 is comprised of a first downstem piece 114 and a second downstem piece 116 that are combinable to create the two-piece downstem 110 and separable from each other for cleaning. When the first and second downstem pieces 114 and 116 are combined the two-piece downstem 110 includes a downstem 118 for bridging between a stem portion 120 of a bowl 122 of the smoking apparatus 112 and a chamber 124 of the smoking apparatus 112 that holds a smoke fluid 126, such as water. The stem portion 120 includes an airflow hole 128 that extends from the bowl 122 and through the two-piece downstem 110 to permit smoke to flow from the smokable material in the bowl 122 to flow into and through the chamber 124 (and the smoke fluid 126) of the smoking apparatus 112.

The first downstem piece 114 includes a first channel portion 130 to make up a part of the airflow hole 128. Similarly, the second downstem piece 116 includes a second channel portion 132 to cooperate with the first channel portion 130 to create the airflow hole 128 that extends through the downstem 118. The first channel portion 130 and the second channel portion 132 can each have a wider portion 131 and 133, respectively, for receiving the stem portion 120 of the bowl 122. The wider portion 131 and 133 can be tapered to allow a good frictional engagement with the stem portion 120 of the bowl 122.

The first and second downstem pieces 114 and 116 can be held together to create the two-piece downstem 110 in any manner known in the art. In one embodiment, the first downstem piece 114 can have depressions 134 disposed therein and the second downstem piece 116 can have protrusions 136 disposed thereon that are in alignment with the depressions 134 in the first downstem piece. The depressions 134 and the protrusions 136 can be snap fit together. In this embodiment, a portion of the protrusions 136 can be wider than the mouths of the depressions 134 where some force is required to push the protrusions 136 into the depressions 134. In another embodiment, the first and second downstem pieces 114 and 116 can be secured together by frictional engagement of the protrusions 136 and the depressions 134. In yet another embodiment, the protrusions 136 are rod elements 139 that are secured in depressions 134 of the first or second downstem piece 114 or 116 and extend beyond the depression 134 to engage with the corresponding depressions 134 on the first or second downstem piece 114 or 116.

In yet another embodiment, the second downstem piece 116 has a plurality of depressions 138 disposed therein that are in alignment with the depressions 134 in the first downstem piece 114. In this embodiment, the depressions 134 and 138 can have magnets 140 disposed therein. The magnets 140 in the first downstem piece 114 and the second downstem piece 116 are attracted (have opposite polarities) to each other to hold the first and second downstem pieces 114 and 116 together to create the two-piece downstem 110. The depressions 134, 138 and the protrusions 136 can be positioned on the downstem pieces 114 and 116 along any portion thereon. Depending on the configuration of the two-piece downstem 110, there can be multiple depressions 134, 138 and protrusions 136 on each part of the downstem pieces 114 and 116. Each downstem piece 114 and 116 can have a mix of depressions 134 or 138 and protrusions 136 that engage with a corresponding depression or protrusion on the other downstem piece 114 or 116.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the magnets 140 disposed in the depressions 134 disposed in the first downstem piece 114 would extend beyond the depth of the depressions 134. The corresponding magnet 140 disposed in the corresponding depression 138 would have a thickness less than the depth of the depression 138, which creates a recessed area 142 above the magnet 140 in the depression 138. The magnet 140 that extends out of the depression 134 in the first downstem piece 114 would extend into the recessed area 142 above the magnet 140 in the depression 138 in the second downstem piece 116. This would provide additional lateral stability to the two pieces 114 and 116 of the two-piece downstem 110 and aides in the alignment of the two pieces 114 and 116 of the two-piece downstem 110.

Whether the first downstem piece 114 and the second downstem piece 116 of the two-piece downstem 110 are held together with magnets 140 or the protrusions 136 and depressions 134 or 138, the first downstem piece 114 and the second bow downstem piece 116 of the two-piece downstem 110 are self-aligning. It should be understood and appreciated that the protrusions 136 can be a part of a rod-like member that is secured down in one of the depressions 134 or 138.

The protrusions 136 may be pins, pegs or dowels or other male kind of protrusion while the depressions 134 or 138 may be sockets, holes, chambers or other receptacle such that they are female. The protrusions 136 and depressions 134 or 138 may have cross sections of any shape such as square, circular, triangular, hexagonal, and the like. The drawings depict exemplar locations and sizes of depressions 134 or 138 that can include magnets 140. The magnets 140 may be pressed in and pressure fit and/or held in with glue. The magnets 140, in one embodiment, are 3/16-inch neodymium magnets. Other sizes of magnets may be used depending on the particular embodiment and depending on the size of the particular two-piece downstem 110. In some embodiments, the neodymium magnets may be coated with nickel and/or epoxy or other coating.

The two-piece downstem 110 can be of a material that allows for it to endure droppage and damage. In some embodiments, the two-piece downstem 110 is made from aluminum. Other sufficiently strong and durable materials may also be used. The number of magnets 140 used in each piece 114 or 116 of the two-piece downstem 110 must be sufficient so that the bowl pieces 114 and 116 remain connected to each other during regular, typical use of the two-piece downstem 110. More or fewer magnets 140 than those shown and described may be used. Again, the number of magnets 140 should provide enough force to connect the downstem pieces 114 and 116 so that the two-piece downstem 110 does not fall apart when used.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the first downstem piece 114 and the second downstem piece 116 can include a face portion 144 and 146, respectively. A first gasket 148 can be secured to the face portion 144 or 146 of the first or second downstem piece 114 or 116 to provide an airtight seal between the first and second downstem pieces 114 and 116. The gasket 148 can have any shape such that it prevents the smoke passing through the airflow hole 128 from escaping. In yet another embodiment, the face portions 144 and 146 can have a tongue and groove feature that prevents the smoke from escaping the airflow hole 128.

The first and second downstem pieces 114 and 116 can have a first end 150 a and 150 b, respectively. The first end 150 a and 150 b is the end with the wider portions 131 and 133 of the first and second channels 13 and 132. The first and second downstem pieces 114 and 116 can also have a second end 152 a and 152 b. The second ends 152 a and 152 b can include lateral openings 154 that diffuse the smoke passing through the two-piece downstem 110.

From the above description, it is clear that the present disclosure is well-adapted to carry out the objectives and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the disclosure. While presently preferred embodiments have been described herein, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the disclosure and claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A two-piece downstem for a smoking apparatus, the two-piece downstem comprising: a first downstem piece having a first downstem portion, a first channel disposed in the first downstem piece; and a second downstem piece releasably securable to the first downstem piece to create the two-piece downstem, a second channel disposed in the second downstem part that cooperates with the first channel to create an airflow hole in the two-piece downstem to permit smoke to flow from a bowl of a smoking apparatus to a chamber of the smoking apparatus.
 2. The two-piece downstem of claim 1 wherein the first downstem piece has at least one protrusion extending from a face of the first downstem piece and the second downstem piece can have at least one depression disposed in a face of the second downstem piece that is generally in alignment with the at least one protrusion extending from the face of the first downstem piece wherein the at least one protrusion matingly engages with the at least one depression in the face of the second downstem piece.
 3. The two-piece downstem of claim 1 wherein a face of the first downstem piece has at least one depression disposed therein and the second downstem piece can have at least one depression disposed in a face of the second downstem piece that is generally in alignment with the at least depression disposed in the face of the first downstem piece wherein a rod element is disposed in the at least one depression in the face of the first downstem piece and the at least one depression in the face of the second downstem piece.
 4. The two-piece downstem of claim 1 wherein the first downstem piece has at least one protrusion extending from a face of the first downstem piece and the second downstem piece can have at least one depression disposed in a face of the second downstem piece that is generally in alignment with the at least one protrusion extending from the face of the first downstem piece wherein the at least one protrusion matingly engages with the at least one depression in the face of the second downstem piece.
 5. The two-piece downstem of claim 2 wherein a portion of the at least one protrusion extending from the first downstem piece can be wider than a mouth of the corresponding at least one depression disposed in the second downstem piece to create a snap fit.
 6. The two-piece downstem of claim 2 wherein the at least one protrusion extending from the first downstem piece is designed to securely and frictionally engage the corresponding at least one depression disposed in the second downstem piece to create a secure frictional engagement between the first downstem piece and the second downstem piece.
 7. The two-piece downstem of claim 1 further comprising: at least one first depression disposed in a first face of the first downstem piece; at least one second depression disposed in a second face of the second downstem piece generally in alignment with the at least one first depression; a first magnet disposed in the at least one first depression; and a second magnet disposed in the at least one second depression that is magnetically attracted to the first magnet, which releasably secures the first downstem piece to the second downstem piece.
 8. The two-piece downstem of claim 7 wherein the at least one first magnet extends out of the at least one first depression disposed in the first downstem piece and the at least one second magnet has a height that is less than the depth of the at least one second depression to create a recessed area in the at least one second depression and above the at least one second magnet.
 9. The two-piece downstem of claim 1 wherein the first downstem piece includes a first face and the second downstem piece includes a second face, the first and second faces mirror each other when the first downstem piece and the second downstem piece are secured together to create the two-piece downstem, the first face or the second face can include a gasket thereon to prevent smoke from escaping between the first and second downstem piece.
 10. The two-piece downstem of claim 1 wherein the first downstem piece or the second downstem piece can include lateral openings disposed in one end thereof to diffuse the smoke passing through the two-piece downstem.
 11. A smoking system, the system comprising: a smoking apparatus for smoking a smokable material; and a two-piece downstem for smoking apparatuses, the two-piece downstem comprising: a first downstem piece having a first downstem portion, a first channel disposed in the first downstem piece; and a second downstem piece releasably securable to the first downstem piece to create the two-piece downstem, a second channel disposed in the second downstem part that cooperates with the first channel to create an airflow hole in the two-piece downstem to permit smoke to flow from a bowl of a smoking apparatus to a chamber of the smoking apparatus.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first downstem piece has at least one protrusion extending from a face of the first downstem piece and the second downstem piece can have at least one depression disposed in a face of the second downstem piece that is generally in alignment with the at least one protrusion extending from the face of the first downstem piece wherein the at least one protrusion matingly engages with the at least one depression in the face of the second downstem piece.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein a face of the first downstem piece has at least one depression disposed therein and the second downstem piece can have at least one depression disposed in a face of the second downstem piece that is generally in alignment with the at least depression disposed in the face of the first downstem piece wherein a rod element is disposed in the at least one depression in the face of the first downstem piece and the at least one depression in the face of the second downstem piece.
 14. The system of claim 11 wherein the first downstem piece has at least one protrusion extending from a face of the first downstem piece and the second downstem piece can have at least one depression disposed in a face of the second downstem piece that is generally in alignment with the at least one protrusion extending from the face of the first downstem piece wherein the at least one protrusion matingly engages with the at least one depression in the face of the second downstem piece.
 15. The system of claim 12 wherein a portion of the at least one protrusion extending from the first downstem piece can be wider than a mouth of the corresponding at least one depression disposed in the second downstem piece to create a snap fit.
 16. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one protrusion extending from the first downstem piece is designed to securely and frictionally engage the corresponding at least one depression disposed in the second downstem piece to create a secure frictional engagement between the first downstem piece and the second downstem piece.
 17. The system of claim 11 further comprising: at least one first depression disposed in a first face of the first downstem piece; at least one second depression disposed in a second face of the second downstem piece generally in alignment with the at least one first depression; a first magnet disposed in the at least one first depression; and a second magnet disposed in the at least one second depression that is magnetically attracted to the first magnet, which releasably secures the first downstem piece to the second downstem piece.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one first magnet extends out of the at least one first depression disposed in the first downstem piece and the at least one second magnet has a height that is less than the depth of the at least one second depression to create a recessed area in the at least one second depression and above the at least one second magnet.
 19. The system of claim 11 wherein the first downstem piece includes a first face and the second downstem piece includes a second face, the first and second faces mirror each other when the first downstem piece and the second downstem piece are secured together to create the two-piece downstem, the first face or the second face can include a gasket thereon to prevent smoke from escaping between the first and second downstem piece.
 20. The system of claim 11 further comprising: a two-piece bowl, the two-piece bowl comprising: a first bowl piece having a first bowl portion, a first stem part extending from the first bowl portion and a first channel disposed in the first stem part; and a second bowl piece releasably securable to the first bowl piece to create the two-piece bowl, the second bowl piece having a second bowl portion to cooperate with the first bowl portion to create a bowl of the two-piece bowl that holds a smokable material, a second stem part extending from the second bowl portion that cooperates with the first stem part to create a stem portion of the two-piece bowl that can engage with the smoking apparatus, and a second channel disposed in the second stem part that cooperates with the first channel to create an airflow hole in the stem portion of the two-piece bowl to permit smoke to flow from the bowl of the two-piece bowl to the smoking apparatus. 